Docs: SUV driver tests positive for marijuana after school bus crash on I-10 near Tucson
MARANA, AZ (AZFamily/13 News) — Newly obtained court documents reveal more about what prompted Arizona state troopers to arrest a driver after a crash left four people with serious injuries on Interstate 10 north of Tucson on Tuesday.
Court records say Nicolas Luis Rodriguez, 30, faces three felony counts of aggravated assault for a crash that left three high schoolers and one adult seriously hurt. Authorities say Rodriguez tested positive for marijuana at the time of the crash.
According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the school bus was on its way from Kingman, heading east toward Tucson on Interstate 10, when the bus and the SUV collided close to Tangerine Road in the town of Marana just after 1:30 p.m. Documents say Rodriguez was heading east when he changed lanes suddenly and hit the bus, causing it to hit the median barrier cable and roll on its side.
Approximately 40 people were on the bus at the time of the crash, including four adults (the bus driver and three chaperones). While the four were seriously hurt, troopers said their injuries weren’t life-threatening. All of those on board were taken to the hospital to be checked out for possible injuries. The Marana Unified School District provided two buses to help drive those victims to Tucson-area hospitals.
One of the victims has been identified as Bobby Liberto, according to a GoFundMe by the family.
Rodriguez was booked into jail on a $100,000 bond, higher than the amount recommended by prosecutors
Blood samples of Rodriguez were obtained via a search warrant and those results are still pending. Authorities say the results could lead to more serious charges.
The Kingman Unified School District #20 confirmed that their bus was involved and carried students from Kingman and Lee Williams high schools in northwestern Arizona.
The school district said the students are members of student group Future Business Leaders of America, and the state leadership conference was being held in Tucson this week.
Kingman USD requests help, thanks southern Arizona community
“We would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to the Tucson and Marana hospitals, first aid responders, and their community for their exceptional support and assistance provided to our students and staff. Your help truly means the world to us,” the school district wrote on social media, thanking the community for their support in the ordeal.
The school is now asking to help assemble care baskets for the students, staff members and families impacted by the accident. Some of the item being requested include gas, grocery, or food gift cards. Blankets, ice packs, heating pads, as well as snacks and get-well cards or letters are also being sought.
Items can be donated at the Kingman Unified District Office until Thursday at 3 p.m. The office is located near Mc Donald and Detroit avenues.
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